Virtual reality and augmented reality systems and methods to generate mobile alerts

ABSTRACT

A mobile device, include: a location determination device; a mobile application; a plurality of wireless communication devices; and a user interface for the mobile application. The mobile device is coupled, via wireless connections, with a wearable device to capture identification information of the object, a remote portal to determine whether data warehouse coupled with the portal stores a predetermined type of data associating the identification information and the mobile device; and if so, the mobile device generates an alert on the mobile device, and prompts the user to accept an operation related to the object. If the user accepts with operation, the mobile application is configured to monitor the location of the mobile device and initiate the operation based on the location of the mobile device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of Prov.U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 62/173,054, filed Jun. 9, 2015, the entiredisclosure of which application is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

The present application relates U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0211469,U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2011/0288918, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2012/0078697, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2012/0191525, U.S. Pat. App. Pub.No. 2012/0253914, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2012/0310838, U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2013/0124273, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0282461, U.S. Pat.App. Pub. No. 2013/0325579, the entire disclosures of which applicationsare hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

At least some embodiments discloses in the present application relate tovirtual reality and augmented reality in general and more particularlybut not limited to mobile alerts generated in connection with virtualreality and augmented reality, user interactions in virtual reality andaugmented reality, and location dependent processing in the mobiledevices.

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality is a computer technology that provides a computergenerate virtual, three-dimensional environment in which users mayinteract with virtual objects and/or communicate with each other.Virtual realities may provide various sensory experiences, such assight, touch, hearing, and/or smell.

Augmented reality is a related computer technology that projectscomputer generated virtual environment onto a view of the real physicalenvironment as perceived directly or indirectly by users such that thereality of the physical world appears to be augmented by the virtualcontent generated by computers. The virtual content can be provided inthe form of sensory input such as sound, video, graphics, text, etc.

Virtual reality and augmented reality have many applications. Forexample, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0166408, entitled “Virtual RealitySystem Including Smart Objects,” discloses a virtual reality simulationof a shopping environment, in which smart objects representing storeshelves may be used to examine user attention to promotional materialsassociated with a shelf, such as a coupon dispenser.

For example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0172640, entitled “AugmentedReality Shopping Game,” discloses an augmented reality program to keepkids in certain parts of a retail store and away from exits and to sendalerts to adult and store personnel if a child gets close to arestricted area.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,825,081, entitled “Personal Augmented RealityAdvertising,” discloses an augmented reality that detects proximitybetween a participant's mobile device and a viewer's mobile device and amatch between the biometric data of the participant and an imagecaptured from a sensor of the viewer's mobile device. In response, thecaptured image and an advertisement presented with the captured imageare presented in the viewer's mobile device.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,493,636, entitled “Method and Apparatus for ProvidingElectronic Coupons”, discloses a system that has coupon modes configuredto alert a viewer when coupon information is available for an item bysuperimposing over the broadcast of a television program marksindicating the availability of coupon data.

U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0006129, entitled “Systems and Methods forMobile and Online Payment Systems for Purchases Related to Mobile andOnline Promotions or Offers Provided using Impressions Tracking andAnalysis, Location Information, 2d and 3D Mapping, Mobile Mapping,Social Media, and User Behavior and Information for Generating Mobileand Internet Posted Promotions or Offers for, and/or Sales of, Productsand/or Services in a Social Network, Online or via a Mobile Device,”discloses coupon alerts, where a video or audio alert or text message isprovided in connection with a mobile, wireless and internet posted,location based, customized promotions or offers or daily deal coupons ordaily deal coupons aggregation for products or services, daily dealcoupons, daily deal coupons aggregation which are displayed inconnection with a social network, website or online or mobile commerce.

The entire disclosures of the above discussed patent documents arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings in which like referencesindicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows a system to generate a mobile alert according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 shows an augmented reality system configured to generate a mobilealert according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a virtual reality system configured to generate a mobilealert according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a method to generate a mobile alert according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 5 shows an electronic payment processing network according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a transaction terminal according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an account identifying device according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a data processing system according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a system to generate a mobile alert according to oneembodiment.

In FIG. 1, the system includes a mobile device (521) and a wearabledevice (301) of a user (101). The mobile device (521) includes aplurality of communication devices (303) configured to communicate withthe wearable device (301), a transaction terminal (105) and acommunication portal (143) that is coupled with a transaction network, adata warehouse (149), and a virtual reality/augmented reality server(305).

For example, the mobile device (521) is configured to use one of thecommunication devices (303) to communicate with the wearable device(301) via a wireless connection, such as a wireless personal areanetwork connection, or a wireless local area network connection. In someinstances, a wired connection can also be used to connect the wearabledevice (301) and the mobile device (521).

The wearable device (301) includes input/output devices to present avirtual reality and/or augmented reality and/or receive user inputs tothe virtual reality and/or augmented reality. For example, the wearabledevice (301) may include a head-mount display unit to virtually presenta virtual reality environment, or a pair of glasses with an integrateddisplay that projects virtual content onto the field of view, as seenthrough the pair of glasses to augment the reality, with the virtualcontent. For example, the wearable device (301) may include a head-mountcamera that captures a field of view at the current location of the userand a head-mount display that presents an augmented reality environmentthat includes the field of view captured by the camera and virtualcontent projected in the field of view captured by the camera.

In FIG. 1, the mobile device (521) includes a mobile application (527)configured to be executed by one or more microprocessors (173) of themobile device (521). At least some of the virtual objects in the virtualreality environment, or augmented reality environment, are generatedand/or provided by the mobile application (527).

In FIG. 1, the mobile device (521) includes a location determinationdevice (523) configured to determine the current location of the mobiledevice (521) (e.g., in a physical world, in the virtual reality world,in the augmented reality world). For example, the mobile application(527) of one embodiment is configured to map the current location of themobile device (521) in the real world into a location of the user (101)in the virtual reality environment, or augmented reality environment;and some of the virtual objects in the virtual reality environment, oraugmented reality environment, presented via the wearable device (301)are generated and/or provided based at least in part on the location ofthe user (101) in the virtual reality environment, or augmented realityenvironment.

In FIG. 1, the wearable device (301) is configured to capture theidentification information (533) provided on the object (531) in thevirtual reality environment, or augmented reality environment.

For example, the object (531) may be a real object in the real worldwith the identification information (533) configured on a surface of theobject (531) in the form of a bar code, a string of text, etc. Thewearable device (301) captures the identification information (533) in aform of an image that is processed by the mobile application to extractthe identification information (533), such as the data encoded in thebar code, the text recognized from the string of text, etc.

For example, the object (531) may be a virtual object in a virtualreality world, or an augmented reality world, hosted on the server (305)(or a separate server in communication with the mobile device (521)).The identification information (533) can be provided in the form of animage rendered on a surface of the virtual object, or data embedded inthe virtual object. The wearable device (301) (or the mobile application(527)) is configured to capture the identification information (533)from the rendered image of the virtual object, or from the server (305)(or a separate server hosting the virtual object).

In FIG. 1, the data warehouse (149) stores object data (307) related tothe object (531). The object data (307) is stored in association withthe identification information (533) of the object (531) and inassociation with a communication reference (205) of the mobile device(521) (and/or other identifiers of the user (101) of the mobileapplication (527)). The communication reference (205) allows the portal(143) to initiate a communication configured to be transmitted to themobile device (521) (e.g., via a telecommunications network, such as acellular communications network).

In FIG. 1, after the mobile application (527) obtains the identificationinformation (533) via the wearable device (301), the mobile application(527) transmits a communication to the portal (143) via a wireless localarea network connection or a wireless wide area network connectionand/or other network connections. The communication contains theidentification information (533) and is configured to cause the portal(143) to determine whether the data warehouse (149), coupled with thetransaction network (103), stores the object data (307) that isassociated with the identification information (533).

If the portal (143) determines that the data warehouse (149) stores theobject data (307) in association with the identification information(533), the portal (143) uses the communication reference (205) to sendan alert to the mobile device (521) (e.g., via a cellular communicationsnetwork). The alert communication from the portal (143) causes themobile device to provide an alert to the user (101) of the mobile device(521) via the user interface of the mobile device (521) and/or thewearable device (301).

For example, the alert can be presented via a sound or audio clip playedon the mobile device (521). Alternatively or in combination, the alertcan be presented via a notification icon presented on a display deviceof the mobile device (521).

The mobile application (522) of one embodiment is configured torecognize the alert communication from the portal (143) and generate anindicator overlaid on the object (531). The user (101) may interact withthe indicator via the wearable device (301) (e.g., through an operationof a data glove or a voice command) in the virtual reality environment,or the augmented reality environment, implemented using the wearabledevice (301). Alternatively, the user (101) may interact with thenotification presented on a user interface of the mobile device (521).

In at least some embodiments, a user interaction with theindicator/notification causes the mobile device (521) to generate atransaction in the transaction network (103) for the object (531) basedon a location determined by the location determination device (523).

For example, after a confirmation is received from the user (101) inrelation with interaction with the indicator/notification, the mobileapplication (527) monitors the location determined by the locationdetermination device (523), which may be a location in the real world ora virtual location in a virtual reality hosted on the server (305). Whenthe location indicates that the user (101) is entering a predeterminedarea, or leaving a predetermined area, the mobile application (527)transmits a communication to the portal (143), or another portalconnected to the transaction network (103), to generate a transactionfor the object (531).

For example, after a confirmation is received from the user (101) inrelation with interaction with the indicator/notification, the mobileapplication (527) monitors the location determined by the locationdetermination device (523), which may be a location in the real world ora virtual location in a virtual reality hosted on the server (305). Whenthe location indicates that the user (101) is performing a transactionwith the transaction terminal (105) within a predetermined geographicalarea associated with the location of the object (531) where theinteraction with the indicator/notification occurs, the mobileapplication (527) is configured to use one of the communication devices(303) to inform the transaction terminal (105) of the inclusion of theobject (531) in the transaction. The transaction network (103) isconfigured to process the transaction using the object data (307).

For example, an offer specific to an item to be purchased is associatedwith a payment account in an electronic payment processing network.During virtual reality interaction with the item for online shopping,the mobile application recognizes the item and generates an alert to theuser about the offer applicable to the item. Alternatively, duringaugmented reality interaction with the item a physical store,identification information provided on the item (e.g., a bar code) isscanned for the mobile application (521) to alert the user about theapplicable offer. The mobile application (521) provides an electronicpayment processing system with purchase data identifying the purchase ofthe item and payment data identifying the payment account. The paymentprocessing system uses the payment account to process a payment for thepurchase and apply the benefit of the offer to the payment during theprocessing of the payment.

For example, the mobile device (521) includes: a location determinationdevice (523) configured to determine a current location of the mobiledevice; at least one microprocessor (173); a memory storing a mobileapplication (527) configured to be executed by the at least onemicroprocessor (173); a plurality of wireless communication devices(303); and a user interface for mobile application (527).

The plurality of wireless communication devices (303) are configured tocommunicate with a wearable device (301) via a wireless personal areanetwork connection, where the wearable device (301) is controlled atleast in part by the mobile application (527) via the wireless personalarea network connection.

The plurality of wireless communication devices (303) are configured tocommunicate, via a wireless connection, with a portal (143) positionedat a remote location, where the portal (143) is coupled with a datawarehouse (149) storing object data (307) in association withidentification information of an object (531).

The plurality of wireless communication devices (303) are configured tocommunicate, via near field communication, with a transaction terminal(105) disposed at a predetermined location.

In response to the wearable device capturing the identificationinformation of the object disposed at a location, the mobile application(527) transmits a communication to the portal, where the communicationincludes the identification information (533) and is configured to causethe portal (143) to: determine whether the data warehouse (149) isstoring the object data (307) in association with the identificationinformation (533) of the object (531); and in response a determinationthat the data warehouse is storing the object data (307) in associationwith the identification information (533) of the object (531),transmitting a response communication from the portal (143) to themobile application (527) running in the mobile device (521).

In response to the response communication, the mobile application (527)generates via the user interface an alert and generates, through thewearable device (301), a display generated based on the responsecommunication in a virtual reality environment or an augmented realityenvironment implemented via the wearable device (301).

For example, when the object (531) is a physical object having attachedthereon a bar code or a text string, the mobile application (527) isconfigured to use the wearable device (301) to captured an image of thebar code or the text string via a camera and determined theidentification information (533) of the object (531) from the image, inresponse to a user (101) of the mobile device (521) interacting with theobject (531) in an augmented reality environment implemented via thewearable device (301).

For example, when the object (531) is a virtual object projected at alocation in the augmented reality environment in the vicinity of thecurrent location of the mobile device (521), the wearable device (301)may capture a screen image of the virtual object and cause the mobileapplication to determine the identification information (533) from thebar code or text string rendered on a surface of the object (531).Alternatively, the wearable device (301) may cause the mobileapplication (527) to communicate with an augmented reality server (305)from which the virtual object (531) is obtained to determine theidentification information (533).

For example, when the object (531) is a virtual object projected at alocation in a virtual reality environment (e.g., based on a location ofthe mobile device (521)), the wearable device (301) may capture a screenimage of the virtual object and cause the mobile application todetermine the identification information (533) from the bar code or textstring rendered on a surface of the object (531). Alternatively, thewearable device (301) may cause the mobile application (527) tocommunicate with a virtual reality server (305) from which the virtualobject (531) is obtained to determine the identification information(533).

In some embodiments, the object (531) is a virtual object is generatedby the mobile application (527) and has identification information (533)known to the mobile application (527).

The mobile application (527) of one embodiment is configured to receivea user response to the alert. In response to the user response, themobile application (527) is configured to: present, via the userinterface of the mobile device (521), an option for accepting anoperation related to the object (531); and receive via the userinterface a user confirmation to accept the operation.

For example, after the user confirmation is received in the userinterface, the mobile application (527) is configured to: detect acommunication between the mobile device (521) and the transactionterminal (105); and determine whether or not to transmit theidentification information (533) of the object (531) to the terminal(105) based on the current location of the mobile device (521) at thetime of the detected communication between the mobile device (521) andthe transaction terminal (105).

For example, after the user confirmation is received in the userinterface, the mobile application (527) is configured to: monitor thecurrent location of the mobile device (521); and initiate a transactionassociated with the terminal in response to the current location of themobile device being outside a predetermined area associated with thelocation where the object (531) was disposed at a time the alert (or theconfirmation) occurs.

For example, the object data (143) stored in the data warehouse (149) inassociation with the identification information (533) of the objectincludes an offer having a benefit; and after a transaction is initiatedin the transaction network (103) using an account associated with theobject data (307) and/or the communication reference (205), thetransaction network (103) provides the benefit of the offer to thetransaction in an automated way. Optionally, the alert generated at themobile device (521) indicates the offer and/or the benefit of the offer,where the alert can be presented on the wearable device (301) and/or themobile device (521). In some instances, the user (101) may interact withthe alert to explore further details of the offer and/or the benefit ofthe offer.

In at least some embodiments, the wearable device (301) is configured tomonitor a field of a view of the user (101). When the wearable device(301) detects a user indication of interest to purchase an item,identified from user interaction with the object (531), the wearabledevice (301) captures the identification information (533) of the object(531) to cause the alert.

For example, the alert may prompt the user (101) of the mobile device(521) to make a purchase of the object (531); and, in response to a userresponse to make the purchase via the mobile device, the mobileapplication (527) stores information identifying the purchase of theobject (531). The mobile application (527) determines an identity of amerchant based on the store location in which the object (531) isdisposed and/or the identification information (533).

In response to a determination that the current location of the mobiledevice (521) is moving outside the predetermined geographical area ofthe store of the merchant, the mobile application (527) generates anonline transaction to complete the purchase of the object (531).

In response to a determination that the current location of the mobiledevice (521) is within the predetermined geographical area of the storeof the merchant and the mobile device (521) is making using one of thecommunication devices (303) to communicate with a transaction terminal(105) to initiate a transaction, the mobile application (527) causes thecommunication to include the purchase of the object (531) that wasconfirmed to be purchased by the user (101).

In some cases, coupons (e.g., physical coupons distributed in publishedmagazines with accompanying advertisements) may be used in some of thesetransactions. These coupons are typically targeted to individualconsumers and offer a one-time discount for a single purchase of a goodor service. However, consumers often view such coupons as being mundaneor dull, and generating significant consumer interest in the coupons isfrequently challenging to product marketers.

In one embodiment, a user (101) is provided with a mobile application toscan coupons advertised by manufactures for specific items produced bythe manufactures. The coupon codes are recognized and stored inassociation with a consumer payment account (146) of the user (101) in adata warehouse of a transaction handler (103) of an electronic paymentprocessing network (e.g., a network as illustrated in FIG. 5).

Subsequently, when the user (101) makes the purchase of the item wherethe coupon is applicable, the user (101) may simply pay for the purchaseof the item by presenting the account information (142) of the consumeraccount (146) of the user via the account identification device (141) tothe transaction terminal (105) of the merchant. The electronic paymentprocessing network processes the payment transaction, including theauthorization of the transaction in the consumer account (146). Duringthe processing of the payment transaction, the transaction handlerdetermines that the scanned coupon, stored as an offer (186) inassociation with the consumer account (146), is applicable to thepayment transaction and applies the benefit of the offer (186) to thepayment transaction.

In one embodiment, the transaction handler determines if the transactionterminal of the merchant has the capability to receive and process realtime response from the transaction handler; and if so, the transactionhandler is configured to communicate with the transaction terminal tocharge the discounted amount to the consumer account (146) in view ofthe offer (186), instead of the full amount for the item.

In some embodiments, the transaction handler and the transactionterminal perform the transaction to charge the consumer account (146)and then provide a cash-back or statement credit to the consumer account(146) in view of the offer (186).

Examples of systems and methods to apply the benefit of an offer (186)to the payment transaction can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,463,706,entitled “Coupon Bearing Sponsor Account Transaction Authorization”,U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2011/0125565, entitled “Systems and Methods forMulti-Channel Offer Redemption”, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0246150,entitled “Systems and Methods to Apply the Benefit of Offers via aTransaction Handler”, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0268333, entitled“Systems and Methods to Process Transactions and Offers via a Gateway”,U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2015/0134528, entitled “Systems and Methods toFacilitate the Redemption of Offer Benefits in a Form of Third PartyStatement Credits”, the entire disclosures of which hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

For example, a cardholder is provided with a mobile application to scanthe coupon code advertised in newspapers, websites etc. using theirmobile device or enter the coupon code manually into the mobileapplication or a website (e.g., portal (143). The mobile application andthe portal associate the coupon with one of the payment account the userselects from his/her checkout account. The mobile application isconfigured to inform/alert the user about expiry and terms andconditions of the coupon which was scanned.

When the user goes to and makes purchase at a store where the coupon isusable, the coupon discount can be applied in a real time mode, or anoffline mode.

In one embodiment of a real time mode processing, the POS transactionterminal of the merchant communicates with the transaction handlerduring authorization of payment transaction. The transaction handlerdetermines that there is coupon associated with the payment account ofthe user the merchant/product being purchased and then immediatelyapplies the coupon discount to the transaction and charge the priceafter the discount is applied to the payment account of the user. Thetransaction handler communicates the application of the coupon to thepayment transaction to the POS transaction terminal in real-time, whichprints the receipt of the value charged after discount.

In one embodiment of an offline mode processing, the POS transactionterminal is not required to be capable of communicating with thetransaction handler in real time in processing the coupon offer. Whenthe user makes the purchase, the transaction messages will be sent tothe transaction handler in the electronic payment processing networkwhere authorization will be performed and the full amount will becharged to the consumer account; and then a cash-back of the discountedcoupon amount will be provided to the user almost immediately (or afterthe settlement of the transaction). The user will see two transactionson the statement: one is a full amount being charged and another will bethe discounted coupon amount being returned to cardholder.

In one embodiment, an additional discount is provided for the redemptionof the offer at a transaction terminal that is not capable of supportingthe real time mode processing. For example, 20 $ off Coupon at POSterminals supporting real-time feedback and 25 $ off using statementcredits on same coupon if redeemed through POS terminals not capable ofreceiving real-time feedback.

In one embodiment, the offer is at a merchant level and not at productlevel (e.g., the determination of whether the offer is applicable doesnot depend on the particular product that is being purchased). Inanother embodiment, the offer is based at least in part theidentification of the particular product that is being purchased.

In one embodiment, when an offer is presented to the user in anelectronic media, the mobile application is configured to extract theidentification information of the offer without requiring the user toscan the offer, or take a photo image of the offer.

In one embodiment, the mobile application is further configured toprovide a mobile alert to the user when the user is shopping online viavirtual reality and/or the offline via augmented reality.

For example, during virtual reality online purchase, if the user selectsan item that has an applicable coupon, a mobile application isconfigured to provide an alert to the user about the applicable coupon.During augmented reality in store purchase, a user device, such asGoogle Glass, can be used to scan a bar code and identify the product ofinterest to the user and communicate with the mobile application toalert the user about the applicable coupon.

In one embodiment, the mobile application is configured with a mobilewallet to process the payment for the items selected for purchase viavirtual reality online purchase and/or augmented reality offlinepurchase. The mobile application is configured to communicate thepurchase details and payment information to the electronic paymentprocessing network, such that benefit of the offer is applied to thepayment transaction during the authorization of the payment transaction.

FIG. 2 shows an augmented reality system configured to generate a mobilealert according to one embodiment.

In FIG. 2, a mobile device (521) is configured with a GPS receiver (523)to determine its position, a microprocessor(s) to run mobile application(527), a near field communication (NFC) transceiver (507) to communicatewith transaction terminal (105) and communication devices (525) tocommunicate with portal (143) and the wearable augmented realityinput/output device (529).

For example, the wearable augmented reality input/output device (529) ofone embodiment include a pair of glasses having an integrated displayconfigured to overlay images and/or text over the field of view of thepair of glasses. The wearable augmented reality input/output device(529) includes a camera to capture the images of the field of view ofthe pair of glasses. The wearable augmented reality input/output device(529) may further include a microphone to receive voice command from theuser, and/or a button to receive user input.

For example, the communications device (525) may communicate with thewearable augment reality input/output device (529) via a personal areanetwork (e.g., Bluetooth) and with the portal (143) and/or the mediacontroller (115) via a wireless local area network (e.g., WiFi) or awireless wide area network (e.g., cellular communications).

In one embodiment, when the camera of the wearable augmented realityinput/output device (529) detects an object (531) having theidentification information (533) (e.g., a bar code, or an identificationstring), the mobile application (527) is configured to determine if theoffer (186) is applicable to the object (531).

For example, the offer (186) may include data identify the applicableobjects (531) via a Stock-Keeping Unit (SKU) number, a Universal ProductCode (UPC), International Article Number (EAN), Global Trade Item Number(GTIN), Australian Product Number (APN), etc. The identificationinformation (533) may include a bar code representing the correspondingidentification number, or a text string showing the identificationnumber of the object (531). When the identification number shown as theidentification information (533) presented on the object (531) matcheswith the corresponding identification number in the offer (186), themobile application (527) generates a mobile alert informing the user ofthe applicable offer (186).

For example, the mobile application may display an icon in the wearableaugment reality input/output device (529) and overlaying the icon invicinity of the object (531) in the field of view of the pair ofglasses. The user may further request the wearable augment realityinput/output device (529) to present further details about theapplicable offer. For example, the mobile application may play anaudible sound to the user to alert the user about a message identifyingthe applicable offer (186). For example, the mobile application (527)may generate a notification on the mobile device (521) about theapplicable offer (186).

In one embodiment, the mobile application (527) is configured to allowthe user to select the object (531) for purchase and/or process thepayment for the purchase.

For example, in response to the mobile alert, the user may provide inputto the mobile application (527) and/or the wearable augment realityinput/output device (529) to purchase the item. The mobile applicationtracks the objects purchased by the user and processes payments when themobile device (521) is near the transaction terminal (105) using the NFCtransceiver (507), or via a communication with the portal (143) usingthe communications devices (525).

For example, when the mobile device (521) is moved to the vicinity ofthe transaction terminal (105) of the merchant, the mobile application(527) uses the NFC transceiver (507) to transmit the purchase details(e.g., the list of items selected for purchase), the account information(142) and the applicable offers (186) to the transaction terminal (105).Thus, instead of having to scan the purchased objects (531) at thecheckout location, the mobile application (527) scans the objects (531)at the locations near where the user picks up the objects and reducesthe time for customers lining up near the checkout location and/or thecongestion at the checkout location.

In one embodiment, the GPS receiver (523) is configured to determine alocation of the mobile device (521). When the location of the GPSreceiver (523) is outside the premises of the merchant, the mobileapplication is configured to determine whether the payment for thepurchased items have been processed; and if not, the mobile applicationuses the communication devices (525) to communicate with the portal(143) of the transaction handler (103) (or a portal of the merchant) toprocess the payment using the account information (142).

In one embodiment, after the mobile application (527) identifies theobject (531) for purchase, the mobile application (527) communicates theapplicable offer (186) to the portal (525) using the communicationdevices (525). In response, the portal (143) is configured to generatethe trigger record (207) to detect a subsequent payment transaction thatis anticipated to be performed in a short period of time. Since the timeperiod between the generation of the trigger record (207) for detectingthe transaction applicable to the offer (186) and the actual occurrenceof the payment transaction is reduced, the efficiency of the transactionhandler (103) is improved.

In one embodiment, the mobile application (527) determines the identityof the merchant of the predicted purchase based on the location of theGPS receiver (523). The mobile application (527) transmits predictionsof applicable offers and/or the identification information (533) of thecorresponding objects (531) based on user interaction with the wearableaugment reality input/output device (529). The mobile application (527)transmits the predicted purchases and/or purchase details to the portal(143) such that when a subsequent payment transaction is made with themerchant within a predetermined period of time, the applicable offers(186) are applied to the corresponding payment transaction, withoutrequiring the transaction terminal (105) to transmit the purchasedetails to the transaction handler (103) (e.g., via authorizationrequest, or a separate communication connection to the portal (143)).The user may use the mobile device (521), or another accountidentification device (141), to present the account information (142) tothe transaction terminal (105) of the merchant to make the payment andget the benefit of having the offer (186) applied to the paymenttransaction during the authorization of the payment transaction.

FIG. 3 shows a virtual reality system configured to generate a mobilealert according to one embodiment.

In FIG. 3, the virtual reality server (535) is configured to present thevirtual objects (531) representing real objects to be purchased. Thevirtual objects (531) include the identification information (533) thatcan be extracted by the virtual reality input/output devices (529)and/or the mobile application (527). Thus, the mobile application doesnot have to perform a scan and/or optical character recognition (OCR) todetermine the identity of the virtual object (531). With theidentification information (533), the mobile application (527) cangenerate the mobile alert, purchase details and/or the payment data in away similar to the mobile application (527) in the context of augmentedreality illustrated in FIG. 2.

In some embodiments, the module is configured in an electronic shoppingcart system for online shopping to perform the functions of the virtualreality input/output devices (529). For example, the module isconfigured to transmit to the mobile application (527) theidentification numbers of the objects selected by the user for depositin the electronic shopping cart; and the mobile application (527) isconfigured to determine the applicable offers. Before and/or after theuser deposits an item in the electronic shopping cart, the mobileapplication is generated to provide a mobile alert to the user and/ortransmit the predicted purchases to the portal (143).

FIG. 4 shows a method to generate a mobile alert according to oneembodiment. For example, the method of FIG. 4 can be implemented in asystem illustrated in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.

In FIG. 4, a computing apparatus is configured to: store (541), in adata warehouse, data associating a payment account of a user with anoffer having a benefit to be applied to purchasing of a predetermineditem; configure (543) a mobile device of the user for a connection witha virtual reality device or an augmented reality device; receive, (545)in the mobile device and via the virtual reality device or the augmentedreality device, an input identifying a user interest in thepredetermined item in a store of a merchant; communicate, (547) by themobile device, with the data warehouse to identify the offer beingapplicable to the predetermined item; provide, (549) via the mobiledevice, the virtual reality device, or the augmented reality device analert to the user about the offer while the virtual reality device orthe augmented reality device is interacting with the predetermined itemin the store of the merchant; and apply (551) the benefit to a purchaseof the predetermined item in response to a payment to made the merchantusing the payment account.

In one embodiment, the computing apparatus includes at least one of: atransaction handler, a message broker (201), a media controller (115), aportal (143) and a data warehouse (149).

FIG. 5 shows an electronic payment processing network according to oneembodiment.

In FIG. 5, the transaction terminal (105) initiates the transaction fora user (101) (e.g., a customer) for processing by a transaction handler(103). The transaction handler (103) processes the transaction andstores transaction data (109) about the transaction, in connection withaccount data (111), such as the account profile of an account of theuser (101). The account data (111) may further include data about theuser (101), collected from issuers or merchants, and/or other sources,such as social networks, credit bureaus, merchant provided information,address information, etc. In one embodiment, a transaction may beinitiated by a server (e.g., based on a stored schedule for recurrentpayments).

In FIG. 5, the consumer account (146) is under the control of the issuerprocessor (145). The consumer account (146) may be owned by anindividual, or an organization such as a business, a school, etc. Theconsumer account (146) may be a credit account, a debit account, or astored value account. The issuer may provide the consumer (e.g., user(101)) an account identification device (141) to identify the consumeraccount (146) using the account information (142). The respectiveconsumer of the account (146) can be called an account holder or acardholder, even when the consumer is not physically issued a card, orthe account identification device (141), in one embodiment. The issuerprocessor (145) is to charge the consumer account (146) to pay forpurchases.

The account identification device (141) of one embodiment is a plasticcard having a magnetic strip storing account information (142)identifying the consumer account (146) and/or the issuer processor(145). Alternatively, the account identification device (141) is asmartcard having an integrated circuit chip storing at least the accountinformation (142). The account identification device (141) mayoptionally include a mobile phone having an integrated smartcard.

The account information (142) may be printed or embossed on the accountidentification device (141). The account information (142) may beprinted as a bar code to allow the transaction terminal (105) to readthe information via an optical scanner. The account information (142)may be stored in a memory of the account identification device (141) andconfigured to be read via wireless, contactless communications, such asnear field communications via magnetic field coupling, infraredcommunications, or radio frequency communications. Alternatively, thetransaction terminal (105) may require contact with the accountidentification device (141) to read the account information (142) (e.g.,by reading the magnetic strip of a card with a magnetic strip reader).

The transaction terminal (105) is configured to transmit anauthorization request message to the acquirer processor (147). Theauthorization request includes the account information (142), an amountof payment, and information about the merchant (e.g., an indication ofthe merchant account (148)). The acquirer processor (147) requests thetransaction handler (103) to process the authorization request, based onthe account information (142) received in the transaction terminal(105). The transaction handler (103) routes the authorization request tothe issuer processor (145) and may process and respond to theauthorization request when the issuer processor (145) is not available.The issuer processor (145) determines whether to authorize thetransaction based at least in part on a balance of the consumer account(146).

The transaction handler (103), the issuer processor (145), and theacquirer processor (147) are separate computers that may each include asubsystem to identify the risk in the transaction and may reject thetransaction based on the risk assessment.

The account identification device (141) may include security features toprevent unauthorized uses of the consumer account (146), such as a logoto show the authenticity of the account identification device (141),encryption to protect the account information (142), etc.

The transaction terminal (105) of one embodiment is configured tointeract with the account identification device (141) to obtain theaccount information (142) that identifies the consumer account (146)and/or the issuer processor (145). The transaction terminal (105)communicates with the acquirer processor (147) that controls themerchant account (148) of a merchant. The transaction terminal (105) maycommunicate with the acquirer processor (147) via a data communicationconnection, such as a telephone connection, an Internet connection, etc.The acquirer processor (147) is to collect payments into the merchantaccount (148) on behalf of the merchant.

In one embodiment, the transaction terminal (105) is a POS terminal at atraditional, offline, “brick and mortar” retail store. In anotherembodiment, the transaction terminal (105) is an online server thatreceives account information (142) of the consumer account (146) fromthe user (101) through a web connection. In one embodiment, the user(101) may provide account information (142) through a telephone call,via verbal communications with a representative of the merchant; and therepresentative enters the account information (142) into the transactionterminal (105) to initiate the transaction.

In one embodiment, the account information (142) can be entered directlyinto the transaction terminal (105) to make payment from the consumeraccount (146), without having to physically present the accountidentification device (141). When a transaction is initiated withoutphysically presenting an account identification device (141), thetransaction is classified as a “card-not-present” (CNP) transaction.

In general, the issuer processor (145) may control more than oneconsumer account (146); the acquirer processor (147) may control morethan one merchant account (148); and the transaction handler (103) isconnected between a plurality of issuer processors (e.g., 145) and aplurality of acquirer processors (e.g., 147). An entity (e.g., bank) mayoperate both an issuer processor (145) and an acquirer processor (147).

In one embodiment, the transaction handler (103), the issuer processor(145), the acquirer processor (147), the transaction terminal (105), theportal (143), and other devices and/or services accessing the portal(143) are connected via communications networks, such as local areanetworks, cellular telecommunications networks, wireless wide areanetworks, wireless local area networks, an intranet, and Internet.Dedicated communication channels may be used between the transactionhandler (103) and the issuer processor (145), between the transactionhandler (103) and the acquirer processor (147), and/or between theportal (143) and the transaction handler (103).

In FIG. 5, the transaction handler (103) uses the data warehouse (149)to store the records about the transactions, such as the transactionrecords or transaction data (109).

Typically, the transaction handler (103) is implemented using a powerfulcomputer, or cluster of computers functioning as a unit, controlled byinstructions stored on a computer readable medium. The transactionhandler (103) is configured to support and deliver authorizationservices, exception file services, and clearing and settlement services.The transaction handler (103) has a subsystem to process authorizationrequests and another subsystem to perform clearing and settlementservices. The transaction handler (103) is configured to processdifferent types of transactions, such credit card transactions, debitcard transactions, prepaid card transactions, and other types ofcommercial transactions. The transaction handler (103) interconnects theissuer processors (e.g., 145) and the acquirer processor (e.g., 147) tofacilitate payment communications.

In FIG. 5, the transaction terminal (105) is configured to submit theauthorized transactions to the acquirer processor (147) for settlement.The amount for the settlement may be different from the amount specifiedin the authorization request. The transaction handler (103) is coupledbetween the issuer processor (145) and the acquirer processor (147) tofacilitate the clearing and settling of the transaction. Clearingincludes the exchange of financial information between the issuerprocessor (145) and the acquirer processor (147); and settlementincludes the exchange of funds.

In FIG. 5, the issuer processor (145) is configured to provide funds tomake payments on behalf of the consumer account (146). The acquirerprocessor (147) is to receive the funds on behalf of the merchantaccount (148). The issuer processor (145) and the acquirer processor(147) communicate with the transaction handler (103) to coordinate thetransfer of funds for the transaction. The funds can be transferredelectronically.

The transaction terminal (105) may submit a transaction directly forsettlement, without having to separately submit an authorizationrequest.

In one embodiment, the portal (143) provides a user interface to allowthe user (101) to organize the transactions in one or more consumeraccounts (146) of the user with one or more issuers. The user (101) mayorganize the transactions using information and/or categories identifiedin the transaction records, such as merchant category, transaction date,amount, etc. Examples and techniques in one embodiment are provided inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/378,215, filed Mar. 16, 2006,assigned U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2007/0055597, and entitled “Method andSystem for Manipulating Purchase Information,” the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, the portal (143) provides transaction basedstatistics, such as indicators for retail spending monitoring,indicators for merchant benchmarking, industry/market segmentation,indicators of spending patterns, etc. Further examples can be found inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/191,796, filed Aug. 14, 2008,assigned U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2009/0048884, and entitled “MerchantBenchmarking Tool,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/940,562, filedNov. 5, 2010, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/940,664, filedNov. 5, 2010, the disclosures of which applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 6 illustrates a transaction terminal according to one embodiment.The transaction terminal (105) illustrated in FIG. 6 can be used invarious systems discussed in connection with other figures of thepresent disclosure. In FIG. 6, the transaction terminal (105) isconfigured to interact with an account identification device (141) toobtain account information (142) about the consumer account (146).

In one embodiment, the transaction terminal (105) includes a memory(167) coupled to the processor (151), which controls the operations of areader (163), an input device (153), an output device (165) and anetwork interface (161). The memory (167) may store instructions for theprocessor (151) and/or data, such as an identification that isassociated with the merchant account (148).

In one embodiment, the reader (163) includes a magnetic strip reader. Inanother embodiment, the reader (163) includes a contactless reader, suchas a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, a near fieldcommunications (NFC) device configured to read data via magnetic fieldcoupling (in accordance with ISO standard 14443/NFC), a Bluetoothtransceiver, a WiFi transceiver, an infrared transceiver, a laserscanner, etc.

In one embodiment, the input device (153) includes key buttons that canbe used to enter the account information (142) directly into thetransaction terminal (105) without the physical presence of the accountidentification device (141). The input device (153) can be configured toprovide further information to initiate a transaction, such as apersonal identification number (PIN), password, zip code, etc. that maybe used to access the account identification device (141), or incombination with the account information (142) obtained from the accountidentification device (141).

In one embodiment, the output device (165) may include a display, aspeaker, and/or a printer to present information, such as the result ofan authorization request, a receipt for the transaction, anadvertisement, etc.

In one embodiment, the network interface (161) is configured tocommunicate with the acquirer processor (147) via a telephoneconnection, an Internet connection, or a dedicated data communicationchannel.

In one embodiment, the instructions stored in the memory (167) areconfigured at least to cause the transaction terminal (105) to send anauthorization request message to the acquirer processor (147) toinitiate a transaction. The transaction terminal (105) may or may notsend a separate request for the clearing and settling of thetransaction. The instructions stored in the memory (167) are alsoconfigured to cause the transaction terminal (105) to perform othertypes of functions discussed in this description.

In one embodiment, a transaction terminal (105) may have fewercomponents than those illustrated in FIG. 6. For example, in oneembodiment, the transaction terminal (105) is configured for“card-not-present” transactions; and the transaction terminal (105) doesnot have a reader (163).

In one embodiment, a transaction terminal (105) may have more componentsthan those illustrated in FIG. 6. For example, in one embodiment, thetransaction terminal (105) is an ATM machine, which includes componentsto dispense cash under certain conditions.

FIG. 7 illustrates an account identifying device according to oneembodiment. In FIG. 7, the account identification device (141) isconfigured to carry account information (142) that identifies theconsumer account (146).

In one embodiment, the account identification device (141) includes amemory (167) coupled to the processor (151), which controls theoperations of a communication device (159), an input device (153), anaudio device (157) and a display device (155). The memory (167) maystore instructions for the processor (151) and/or data, such as theaccount information (142) associated with the consumer account (146).

In one embodiment, the account information (142) includes an identifieridentifying the issuer (and thus the issuer processor (145)) among aplurality of issuers, and an identifier identifying the consumer accountamong a plurality of consumer accounts controlled by the issuerprocessor (145). The account information (142) may include an expirationdate of the account identification device (141), the name of theconsumer holding the consumer account (146), and/or an identifieridentifying the account identification device (141) among a plurality ofaccount identification devices associated with the consumer account(146).

In one embodiment, the account information (142) may further include aloyalty program account number, accumulated rewards of the consumer inthe loyalty program, an address of the consumer, a balance of theconsumer account (146), transit information (e.g., a subway or trainpass), access information (e.g., access badges), and/or consumerinformation (e.g., name, date of birth), etc.

In one embodiment, the memory includes a nonvolatile memory, such asmagnetic strip, a memory chip, a flash memory, a Read Only Memory (ROM),etc. to store the account information (142).

In one embodiment, the information stored in the memory (167) of theaccount identification device (141) may also be in the form of datatracks that are traditionally associated with credits cards. Such tracksinclude Track 1 and Track 2. Track 1 (“International Air TransportAssociation”) stores more information than Track 2, and contains thecardholder's name as well as the account number and other discretionarydata. Track 1 is sometimes used by airlines when securing reservationswith a credit card. Track 2 (“American Banking Association”) iscurrently most commonly used and is read by ATMs and credit cardcheckers. The ABA (American Banking Association) designed thespecifications of Track 1 and banks abide by it. It contains thecardholder's account number, encrypted PIN, and other discretionarydata.

In one embodiment, the communication device (159) includes asemiconductor chip to implement a transceiver for communication with thereader (163) and an antenna to provide and/or receive wireless signals.

In one embodiment, the communication device (159) is configured tocommunicate with the reader (163). The communication device (159) mayinclude a transmitter to transmit the account information (142) viawireless transmissions, such as radio frequency signals, magneticcoupling, or infrared, Bluetooth or WiFi signals, etc.

In one embodiment, the account identification device (141) is in theform of a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. The inputdevice (153) can be used to provide input to the processor (151) tocontrol the operation of the account identification device (141); andthe audio device (157) and the display device (155) may present statusinformation and/or other information, such as advertisements or offers.The account identification device (141) may include further componentsthat are not shown in FIG. 7, such as a cellular communicationssubsystem.

In one embodiment, the communication device (159) may access the accountinformation (142) stored on the memory (167) without going through theprocessor (151).

In one embodiment, the account identification device (141) has fewercomponents than those illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, an accountidentification device (141) does not have the input device (153), theaudio device (157) and the display device (155) in one embodiment; andin another embodiment, an account identification device (141) does nothave components (151-159).

For example, in one embodiment, an account identification device (141)is in the form of a debit card, a credit card, a smartcard, or aconsumer device that has optional features such as magnetic strips, orsmartcards.

An example of an account identification device (141) is a magnetic stripattached to a plastic substrate in the form of a card. The magneticstrip is used as the memory (167) of the account identification device(141) to provide the account information (142). Consumer information,such as account number, expiration date, and consumer name may beprinted or embossed on the card. A semiconductor chip implementing thememory (167) and the communication device (159) may also be embedded inthe plastic card to provide account information (142) in one embodiment.In one embodiment, the account identification device (141) has thesemiconductor chip but not the magnetic strip.

In one embodiment, the account identification device (141) is integratedwith a security device, such as an access card, a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tag, a security card, a transponder, etc.

In one embodiment, the account identification device (141) is a handheldand compact device. In one embodiment, the account identification device(141) has a size suitable to be placed in a wallet or pocket of theconsumer.

Some examples of an account identification device (141) include a creditcard, a debit card, a stored value device, a payment card, a gift card,a smartcard, a smart media card, a payroll card, a health care card, awrist band, a keychain device, a supermarket discount card, atransponder, and a machine readable medium containing accountinformation (142).

In one embodiment, a computing apparatus is configured to include someof the components of systems illustrated in various figures, such as thetransaction handler (103), the media controller (115), the portal (143),and their associated storage devices, such as the data warehouse (149).

In one embodiment, at least some of the components such as thetransaction handler (103), the transaction terminal (105), the point ofinteraction, the media controller (115), the portal (143), the issuerprocessor (145), the acquirer processor (147), and the accountidentification device (141), can be implemented as a computer system,such as a data processing system (170) illustrated in FIG. 8, with moreor fewer components. Some of the components may share hardware or becombined on a computer system. In one embodiment, a network of computerscan be used to implement one or more of the components.

Further, the data illustrated in the figures, such as transaction data(109), account data (111), transaction profiles (127), can be stored instorage devices of one or more computers accessible to the correspondingcomponents. For example, the transaction data (109) can be stored in thedata warehouse (149) that can be implemented as a data processing systemillustrated in FIG. 8, with more or fewer components.

In one embodiment, the transaction handler (103) is a payment processingsystem, or a payment card processor, such as a card processor for creditcards, debit cards, etc.

FIG. 8 illustrates a data processing system according to one embodiment.While FIG. 8 illustrates various components of a computer system, it isnot intended to represent any particular architecture or manner ofinterconnecting the components. One embodiment may use other systemsthat have fewer or more components than those shown in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 8, the data processing system (170) includes an inter-connect(171) (e.g., bus and system core logic), which interconnects amicroprocessor(s) (173) and memory (167). The microprocessor (173) iscoupled to cache memory (179) in the example of FIG. 8.

In one embodiment, the inter-connect (171) interconnects themicroprocessor(s) (173) and the memory (167) together and alsointerconnects them to input/output (I/O) device(s) (175) via I/Ocontroller(s) (177). I/O devices (175) may include a display deviceand/or peripheral devices, such as mice, keyboards, modems, networkinterfaces, printers, scanners, video cameras and other devices known inthe art. In one embodiment, when the data processing system is a serversystem, some of the I/O devices (175), such as printers, scanners, mice,and/or keyboards, are optional.

In one embodiment, the inter-connect (171) includes one or more busesconnected to one another through various bridges, controllers and/oradapters. In one embodiment the I/O controllers (177) include a USB(Universal Serial Bus) adapter for controlling USB peripherals, and/oran IEEE-1394 bus adapter for controlling IEEE-1394 peripherals.

In one embodiment, the memory (167) includes one or more of: ROM (ReadOnly Memory), volatile RAM (Random Access Memory), and non-volatilememory, such as hard drive, flash memory, etc.

Volatile RAM is typically implemented as dynamic RAM (DRAM) whichrequires power continually in order to refresh or maintain the data inthe memory. Non-volatile memory is typically a magnetic hard drive, amagnetic optical drive, an optical drive (e.g., a DVD RAM), or othertype of memory system which maintains data even after power is removedfrom the system. The non-volatile memory may also be a random accessmemory.

The non-volatile memory can be a local device coupled directly to therest of the components in the data processing system. A non-volatilememory that is remote from the system, such as a network storage devicecoupled to the data processing system through a network interface suchas a modem or Ethernet interface, can also be used.

In this description, some functions and operations are described asbeing performed by or caused by software code to simplify description.However, such expressions are also used to specify that the functionsresult from execution of the code/instructions by a processor, such as amicroprocessor.

Alternatively, or in combination, the functions and operations asdescribed here can be implemented using special purpose circuitry, withor without software instructions, such as using Application-SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC) or Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).Embodiments can be implemented using hardwired circuitry withoutsoftware instructions, or in combination with software instructions.Thus, the techniques are limited neither to any specific combination ofhardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for theinstructions executed by the data processing system.

While one embodiment can be implemented in fully functioning computersand computer systems, various embodiments are capable of beingdistributed as a computing product in a variety of forms and are capableof being applied regardless of the particular type of machine orcomputer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution.

At least some aspects disclosed can be embodied, at least in part, insoftware. That is, the techniques may be carried out in a computersystem or other data processing system in response to its processor,such as a microprocessor, executing sequences of instructions containedin a memory, such as ROM, volatile RAM, non-volatile memory, cache or aremote storage device.

Routines executed to implement the embodiments may be implemented aspart of an operating system or a specific application, component,program, object, module or sequence of instructions referred to as“computer programs.” The computer programs typically include one or moreinstructions set at various times in various memory and storage devicesin a computer, and that, when read and executed by one or moreprocessors in a computer, cause the computer to perform operationsnecessary to execute elements involving the various aspects.

A machine readable medium can be used to store software and data whichwhen executed by a data processing system causes the system to performvarious methods. The executable software and data may be stored invarious places including for example ROM, volatile RAM, non-volatilememory and/or cache. Portions of this software and/or data may be storedin any one of these storage devices. Further, the data and instructionscan be obtained from centralized servers or peer to peer networks.Different portions of the data and instructions can be obtained fromdifferent centralized servers and/or peer to peer networks at differenttimes and in different communication sessions or in a same communicationsession. The data and instructions can be obtained in entirety prior tothe execution of the applications. Alternatively, portions of the dataand instructions can be obtained dynamically, just in time, when neededfor execution. Thus, it is not required that the data and instructionsbe on a machine readable medium in entirety at a particular instance oftime.

Examples of computer-readable media include but are not limited torecordable and non-recordable type media such as volatile andnon-volatile memory devices, read only memory (ROM), random accessmemory (RAM), flash memory devices, floppy and other removable disks,magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media (e.g., Compact DiskRead-Only Memory (CD ROM), Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), etc.), amongothers. The computer-readable media may store the instructions.

The instructions may also be embodied in digital and analogcommunication links for electrical, optical, acoustical or other formsof propagated signals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals, digitalsignals, etc. However, propagated signals, such as carrier waves,infrared signals, digital signals, etc. are not tangible machinereadable medium and are not configured to store instructions.

In general, a machine readable medium includes any mechanism thatprovides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a formaccessible by a machine (e.g., a computer, network device, personaldigital assistant, manufacturing tool, any device with a set of one ormore processors, etc.).

In various embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in combinationwith software instructions to implement the techniques. Thus, thetechniques are neither limited to any specific combination of hardwarecircuitry and software nor to any particular source for the instructionsexecuted by the data processing system.

OTHER ASPECTS

The description and drawings are illustrative and are not to beconstrued as limiting. The present disclosure is illustrative ofinventive features to enable a person skilled in the art to make and usethe techniques. Various features, as described herein, should be used incompliance with all current and future rules, laws and regulationsrelated to privacy, security, permission, consent, authorization, andothers. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thoroughunderstanding. However, in certain instances, well known or conventionaldetails are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description.References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure are notnecessarily references to the same embodiment; and, such references meanat least one.

The use of headings herein is merely provided for ease of reference, andshall not be interpreted in any way to limit this disclosure or thefollowing claims.

Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Theappearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment,and are not necessarily all referring to separate or alternativeembodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, variousfeatures are described which may be exhibited by one embodiment and notby others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may berequirements for one embodiment but not other embodiments. Unlessexcluded by explicit description and/or apparent incompatibility, anycombination of various features described in this description is alsoincluded here. For example, the features described above in connectionwith “in one embodiment” or “in some embodiments” can be all optionallyincluded in one implementation, except where the dependency of certainfeatures on other features, as apparent from the description, may limitthe options of excluding selected features from the implementation, andincompatibility of certain features with other features, as apparentfrom the description, may limit the options of including selectedfeatures together in the implementation.

The disclosures of the above discussed patent documents are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evidentthat various modifications may be made thereto without departing fromthe broader spirit and scope as set forth in the following claims. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: storing, in a memory of amobile device a mobile application configured to be executed by at leastone microprocessor of the mobile device, the mobile device having: alocation determination device configured to determine a current locationof the mobile device, the location determination device comprising aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver; a user interface for themobile application; and a plurality of wireless communication devicesconfigured to: communicate with a wearable device via a wirelesspersonal area network connection, wherein the wearable device iscontrolled at least in part by the mobile application via the wirelesspersonal area network connection; communicate, via a wirelessconnection, with a portal positioned at a remote location, wherein theportal is coupled with a data warehouse storing data in association withidentification information of an object; and communicate, via near fieldcommunication, with a transaction terminal disposed at a first location;and in response to the wearable device capturing the identificationinformation of the object disposed at a second location: transmitting bythe mobile application a first communication to the portal, the firstcommunication including identification information and configured tocause the portal to: determine whether the data warehouse is storing thedata in association with the identification information of the object,and in response to a determination that the data warehouse is storingthe data in association with the identification information of theobject, transmit a second communication from the portal to the mobileapplication running in the mobile device; in response to the secondcommunication, generating by the mobile application via the userinterface an alert; providing, by the mobile application through thewearable device, a display based on the second communication in avirtual reality environment or an augmented reality environmentimplemented via the wearable device; monitoring, by the mobileapplication, the current location of the mobile device based on locationdata from the GPS receiver; detecting, by the mobile application, athird communication via near field communication between the mobiledevice and the transaction terminal at the first location; determining,by the mobile application, the current location of the mobile devicebased on the location data from the GPS receiver is within apredetermined geographical area associated with the second location;determining, by the mobile application, whether or not to transmit theidentification information of the object to the transaction terminal atthe first location via near field communication based on the currentlocation of the mobile device based on the location data from the GPSreceiver being within the predetermined geographical area associatedwith the second location and being in a vicinity of the transactionterminal at the first location at a time of the third communication; andtransmitting, by the mobile device via near field communication, theidentification information of the object to the transaction terminal. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the wearable device implements anaugmented reality environment, the wearable device includes a camera,and the wearable device captures the identification information of theobject using the camera.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the object isa physical object.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the identificationinformation is captured by the wearable device from one of: a bar code;and a text string.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the object is avirtual object projected at the second location in the augmented realityenvironment.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the wearable deviceimplements a virtual reality environment; and the object is a virtualobject in the virtual reality environment.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the display includes information provided in the secondcommunication.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in responseto a user response to the alert: presenting via the user interface anoption for accepting an operation related to the object; and receivingvia the user interface a user confirmation to accept the operation,wherein detecting the third communication and determining whether or notto transmit the identification information to the transaction terminalare after the user confirmation is received in the user interface. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the data stored in the data warehouse inassociation with the identification information of the object includesan offer having a benefit.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein thewearable device captures the identification information of the object inresponse to a user indication of interest to purchase an item identifiedfrom user interaction with the object; and the alert indicates thebenefit of the offer.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the displayprovided by the mobile application through the wearable device includesan indication of the benefit of the offer.
 12. The method of claim 9,wherein the display provided by the mobile application through thewearable device identifies the offer.
 13. The method of claim 12,further comprising: prompting in the display a user of the mobile deviceto make a purchase of the object; and storing information identifyingthe purchase in response to a user response to make the purchase via themobile device.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:determining, by the mobile application, an identity of a merchant basedon the second location being within the predetermined geographical areaassociated with the merchant; and performing, by the mobile application,an online transaction to complete the purchase in response to adetermination that the current location of the mobile device is outsidethe predetermined geographical area.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinthe data warehouse is coupled with a transaction handler of anelectronic payment processing network; and the transaction handler isconfigured to apply the benefit of the offer to the transaction when thetransaction is being processed in the electronic payment processingnetwork.
 16. A non-transitory computer storage medium storinginstructions configured to instruct a computing device to perform amethod, the method comprising: storing in a memory of a mobile device, amobile application configured to be executed by at least onemicroprocessor of the mobile device, the mobile device furtherincluding: a location determination device configured to determine acurrent location of the mobile device, the location determination devicecomprising a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; a user interfacefor the mobile application; and a plurality of wireless communicationdevices configured to: communicate with a wearable device via a wirelesspersonal area network connection, wherein the wearable device iscontrolled at least in part by the mobile application via the wirelesspersonal area network connection; communicate, via a wirelessconnection, with a portal positioned at a remote location, wherein theportal is coupled with a data warehouse storing data in association withidentification information of an object; and communicate, via near fieldcommunication, with a transaction terminal disposed at a first location;and in response to the wearable device capturing the identificationinformation of the object disposed at a second location: transmitting bythe mobile application a first communication to the portal, the firstcommunication including identification information and configured tocause the portal to: determine whether the data warehouse is storing thedata in association with the identification information of the object,and in response to a determination that the data warehouse is storingthe data in association with the identification information of theobject, transmit a second communication from the portal to the mobileapplication running in the mobile device; in response to the secondcommunication, generating by the mobile application via the userinterface an alert; presenting, by the mobile application through thewearable device, a display based on the second communication in avirtual reality environment or an augmented reality environmentimplemented via the wearable device; monitoring, by the mobileapplication, the current location of the mobile device based on locationdata from the GPS receiver; detecting, by the mobile application, athird communication via near field communication between the mobiledevice and the transaction terminal at the first location; determining,by the mobile application, the current location of the mobile devicebased on the location data from the GPS receiver is within apredetermined geographical area associated with the second location;determining, by the mobile application, whether or not to transmit theidentification information of the object to the transaction terminal atthe first location via near field communication based on the currentlocation of the mobile device based on the location data from the OPSreceiver being within the predetermined geographical area associatedwith the second location and being in a vicinity of the transactionterminal at the first location at a time of the third communication; andtransmitting, by the mobile device via near field communication, theidentification information of the object to the transaction terminal.17. A mobile device, comprising: a location determination deviceconfigured to determine a current location of the mobile device, thelocation determination device comprising a global positioning system(GPS) receiver; at least one microprocessor; a memory storing a mobileapplication configured to be executed by the at least onemicroprocessor; a user interface for the mobile application; and aplurality of wireless communication devices configured to: communicatewith a wearable device via a wireless personal area network connection,wherein the wearable device is controlled at least in part by the mobileapplication via the wireless personal area network connection;communicate, via a wireless connection, with a portal positioned at aremote location, wherein the portal is coupled with a data warehousestoring data in association with identification information of anobject; and communicate, via near field communication, with atransaction terminal disposed at a first location; wherein the mobileapplication is configured to, in response to the wearable devicecapturing the identification information of the object disposed at asecond location: transmit by the mobile application a firstcommunication to the portal, the first communication includingidentification information and configured to cause the portal to:determine whether the data warehouse is storing the data in associationwith the identification information of the object, and in response to adetermination that the data warehouse is storing the data in associationwith the identification information of the object, transmit a secondcommunication from the portal to the mobile application running in themobile device; in response to the second communication, generate via theuser interface an alert; generate, through the wearable device, adisplay based on the second communication in a virtual realityenvironment or an augmented reality environment implemented via thewearable device; monitor the current location of the mobile device basedon location data from the GPS receiver; detect a third communication vianear field communication between the mobile device and the transactionterminal at the first location; determine the current location of themobile device based on the location data from the GPS receiver is withina predetermined geographical area associated with the second location;determine whether or not to transmit the identification information ofthe object to the transaction terminal at the first location via nearfield communication based on the current location of the mobile devicebased on the location data from the GPS receiver being within thepredetermined geographical area associated with the second location andbeing in a vicinity of the transaction terminal at the first location ata time of the third communication; and transmit, via near fieldcommunication, the identification information of the object to thetransaction terminal.
 18. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein theobject is a physical object having attached thereon a bar code or a textstring; the mobile application is configured to use the wearable deviceto capture an image of the bar code or the text string via a camera anddetermine the identification information of the object from the image,in response to a user of the mobile device interacting with the objectin an augmented reality environment implemented via the wearable device.